A semipermeable membrane that is capable of remaining flexible at a temperature of at least -60.degree. C. is selective to liquid penetrants depending on the size and polarity of the penetrants, and more specifically, the membrane has sufficient selectivity so as to be capable of allowing water to diffuse therethrough at a higher rate than virtually all organic liquids having a molecular weight higher than that of methanol. The semipermeable membrane, which is produced from an unsulfonated block copolymer having polystyrene and polyisobutylene segments, includes a sulfonated block copolymer including poly (styrene-co-styrene sulfonic acid) segments and polyisobutylene segments. Prior to modification by sulfonation, the unsulfonated polystyrene and polyisobutylene block copolymer includes polystyrene monomer in an amount of from 5% to 90% by weight of the total unsulfonated block copolymer. After modification, from 1 to 70 mole % of the polystyrene monomer in the unsulfonated polystyrene and polyisobutylene block copolymer is converted to styrene sulfonic acid in the sulfonated block copolymer. By virtue of the semipermeable membrane's excellent transport and mechanical properties, and ease of processing, the various embodiments of the membrane advantageously find numerous uses, including in chemical and/or biological protective apparel, as an ion-conducting membrane for use in a fuel cell, and in medical equipment and apparel.

A wound dressing or bandage that provides a galvanic current for extended periods of time before having to change the dressing or bandage is addressed in the present invention. The present invention is directed to a galvanic current wound dressing having antimicrobial properties and to a method for treating a patient with the wound dressing.

Compositions, methods, devices and kits utilizing water-based hydrophilic coating formulations on medical implements. The composition for applying a coating comprises a sulfonated polyester, water, and a surface active agent. Methods for coating a medical implement comprise providing an aqueous dispersion comprising sulfonated polyester and surface active agent, contacting the medical implement with the aqueous dispersion, and drying the medical implement. Methods for acquiring a sample of bodily fluid from a patient comprise coating a needle with a sulfonated polyester, penetrating the needle into the patient, and drawing bodily fluid through the needle.

Compositions, methods, devices and kits utilizing water-based hydrophilic coating formulations on medical implements. The composition for applying a coating comprises a sulfonated polyester, water, and a surface active agent. Methods for coating a medical implement comprise providing an aqueous dispersion comprising sulfonated polyester and surface active agent, contacting the medical implement with the aqueous dispersion, and drying the medical implement. Methods for acquiring a sample of bodily fluid from a patient comprise coating a needle with a sulfonated polyester, penetrating the needle into the patient, and drawing bodily fluid through the needle.

The present invention is directed to novel implantable or insertable medical devices that provide controlled release of a therapeutic agent. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a therapeutic-agent-releasing medical device is provided, which comprises: (a) an implantable or insertable medical device; (b) a release layer disposed over at least a portion of the implantable or insertable medical device; and (c) a therapeutic agent. The release layer comprises a styrene copolymer and at least one additional polymer. The release layer regulates the rate of release of the therapeutic agent from the medical device upon implantation or insertion of the device into a patient. The present invention is also directed to methods of forming the above implantable or insertable medical devices, methods of administering a therapeutic agent to a patient using such devices, and methods of modulating the release of therapeutic agent from such devices.